Extrudable thermoplastic composition comprising a compatibilized polyphenylene ether polyamide resin blend

ABSTRACT

The present invention deals with an extrudable thermoplastic composition comprising a compatibilized polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin blend. By using a polyphenylene ether with an intrinsic viscosity of more than 45 ml/g as measurred in toluene at 25 degrees C. and a concentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml and a polyamide with a reduced viscosity of more than 175 ml/g as measured in sulphuric acid in accordance with ISO 307, it proved to be possible to obtain a blend which could be extruded without difficulties. Blends in which only one of the two resins i.e. the polyphenylene ether or the polyamide possessed the required viscosity values were less suitable for processing by extrusion. 
     The composition may further comprise other usual additives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to thermoplastic compositions comprising acompatibilized polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin blend which issuitable for extrusion.

The invention also relates to articles formed out of the compositions ofthe invention.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

Commercially available blends of polyphenylene ether and polyamide areless suitable for molding into the desired shapes by extrusion; they aremanufactured by a compounding-extrusion step, followed by pellitization.The obtained pellets are then usually processed by injection moldinginto the desired shapes.

It is generally known to increase the molecular weight and hence theviscosity of thermoplastic resins to make them better suitable formolding by extrusion. The use of thermoplastics resins with increasedviscosity results in higher melt strenght values as necessary forextrusion-molding.

The commercially most interesting blends of polyphenylene ether andpolyamide comprise a continuous phase of polyamide in which thepolyphenylene ether is dispersed. It would thus be expected that anincrease of the viscosity of the polyamide only would make the blendmore suitable for molding by extrusion. An increase of the meltviscosity did indeed occur by using a polyamide with increased viscosityin combination with a polyphenylene ether of standard viscosity.Unfortunately this blend with a normal polyphenylene ether showed a veryundesirable effect: upon extrusion in the manufacturing step so-calleddie-swell occurred to such an extent that the product was not uniform inthickness and not well processable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that by using a combination of a polyphenyleneether with a specific viscosity which is higher than usual and of apolyamide with a viscosity which is higher than usual it is possible toobtain a blend with a satisfactory melt strength without occurrence ofthe die-swell phenomena.

In the thermoplastic composition of the invention the polyphenyleneether has an intrinsic viscosity of more than 45 ml/g as measured intoluene at 25 degrees C. and a concentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml andthe polyamide has a reduced viscosity of more than 175 ml/g as measuredin sulphuric acid in accordance with ISO 307.

The polyphenylene ether in the blends of the invention preferably havean intrinsic viscosity of at least 50 ml/g. The polyamide preferably hasa reduced viscosity of at least 190 ml/g.

Preferred polyphenylene ether resins (PPE) and polyamide resins as wellas means for providing compatibilized combinations thereof are describedbelow.

In general it is desirable that the polyamide component forms thecontinuous phase in the blend and, therefore, typically at least 35percent by weight of the total PPE-polyamide-composition will becomprised of the polyamide component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Polyphenylene ethers are a well known class of compounds sometimesreferred to as polyphenylene oxides. Examples of suitable polyphenyleneethers and processes for their preparation can be found in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,306,874; 3,306,875; 3,257,357; and 3,257,358. Compositions of thepresent invention will encompass homopolymers, copolymers and graftcopolymers obtained by the oxidative coupling of phenolic compounds. Thepreferred polyphenylene ethers used as base resins in compositions ofthe present invention will be comprised of ml/g derived from2,6-dimethyl phenol. Also contemplated are polyphenylene ethercopolymers comprising of ml/g derived from 2,6-dimethyl phenol and2,3,6-trimethyl phenol.

A particularly useful polyphenylene ether would bepoly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having an intrinsic viscosity(I.V.) of more than 50 ml/g as measured in toluene at 25 degrees C. anda concentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml.

The polyamide resins useful in the practice of the present invention area generic family of resins known as nylons, characterized by thepresence of an amide group (--CONH--). Nylon-6 and nylon-6,6 are thegenerally preferred polyamides and are available from a variety ofcommercial sources. Other polyamides, however, such as nylon-4,nylon-12, nylon-6,10, nylon 6,9 or others such as the amorphous nylonsmay be useful for particular polyphenylene ether-polyamide applications.The most preferred polyamide for the blends of the present invention isthe polyamide-6,6.

The polyamides can be obtained by a number of well known processes.Nylon-6, for example, is a polymerization product of caprolactam.Nylon-6,6 is a condensation product of adipic acid andhexamethylenediamine. A nylon-6,6 having reduced viscosity of more than175 ml/g, preferably of at least 190 ml/gas measured in sulphuric acidin accordance with ISO 307 is the most preferred type of polyamide.

In blends of the present invention, a compatibilizing agent should beemployed in the preparation of the composition. The two-fold purpose forusing compatilizing agents is to improve, in general, the physicalproperties of the polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin blend, as well asto enable the use of a greater proportion of the polyamide component.When used herein, the expression "compatibilizing agent" refers to thosepolyfunctional compounds which interact with either the polyphenyleneether, the polyamide, or both. This interaction may be chemical (e.g.grafting) or physical (e.g. affecting the surface characteristics of thedispersed phases). In either instance the resulting polyphenyleneether-polyamide composition appears to exhibit improved compatibility,particularly as evidenced by enhanced impact strength, mold knit linestrength and/or elongation. As used herein, the expression"compatibilized polyphenylene ether-polyamide base resin" refers tothose compositions which have been physically or chemicallycompatibilized with an agent as discussed above, as well as thosecompositions which are physically compatible without such agents, astaught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,792.

Examples of the various compatibilizing agents that may be employed inthe practice of the present invention include: a) liquid diene polymers,b) epoxy compounds, c) oxidized polyolefin wax, d) quinones, e)organosilane compounds, f) polyfunctional compounds and functionalizedpolyphenylene ethers as described obtained by reacting one or more ofthe previously mentioned compatibilizing agents with a polyphenyleneether hereinafter.

Liquid diene polymers (a) suitable for use herein include homopolymersof a conjugated diene with at least one monomer selected from the groupconsisting of other conjugated dienes; vinyl monomer, e.g. styrene andalphamethyl styrene; olefins, e.g. ethylene, propylene, butene-1,isobutylene, hexene-1, octene-1 and dodecene-1, and mixtures thereof,having a number average molecular weight of from 150 to 10,000preferably 150 to 5,000. These homopolymers and copolymers can beproduced by the methods described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,054,612; 3,876,721 and 3,428,699 and include, among others,polybutadiene, polyisoprene, poly(1,3-pentadiene),poly(butadiene-isoprene), poly(styrene-butadiene), polychloroprene,poly(butadiene-alpha methylstyrene), poly(butadiene-styrene-isoprene),poly(butylene-butadiene) and the like.

Epoxy compounds (b) suitable for use in the practice of the presentinvention include: (1) epoxy resins produced by condensing polyhydricphenols (e.g. bisphenol-A, tetrabromobisphenol-A, resorcinol andhydroquinone) and epichlorohydrin; (2) epoxy resins produced bycondensing polyhydric alcohols (e.g.ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol,pentaerythritol and trimethylolethane and the like) and epichlorohydrin,(3) glycidyletherified products of monohydric alcohols and monohydricphenols including phenyl glycidylether, butyl glycidyl ether and cresylglycidylether; (4) glycidyl derivates of animo compounbds for example,the diglycidyl derivate of aniline, and (5) epoxidized products ofhigher olefinic or cycloalkene, or natural unsaturated oils (e.g.soybean) as well as of the foregoing liquid diene polymers.

Oxidized polyolefin waxes (c) are well known and a description thereofand processes for the production of the same are found in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,822,227 and 3,756,999 and German Patent Publications 3,047,915 and2,201,862.

Generally, these are prepared by an oxidaton or suspension oxidation ofpolyolefin. An especially preferred polyolefin wax is "Hoechst Wachs".

Quinone compounds (d) suitable for use herein are characterized ashaving in the molecule of the unsubstituted derivative at least one 6membered carbon ring; at least two carbonyl groups in the ringstructure, both of which may be in the same or, if more than one ring,different rings, provided that they occupy positions corresponding tothe 1,2- or 1,4-orientation of the monocyclic quinone; and at least twocarbon-carbon double bonds in the ring structure, said carbon-carbondouble bounds and carbonyl carbon-carbon double bonds in the ringstructure, said carbon-carbon double bonds and carbonyl carbon-oxygendouble bonds being conjugated with respect to each other. Where morethan one ring is present in the unsubstituted quinone, the rings may befused, non-fused or both: non-fused rings may be bound by a directcarbon-carbon double bond or by a hydrocarbon radical having conjugatedunsaturation such as ═C--C═.

Substituted quinones are also within the scope of the present invention.The degree of substitution; where substitution is desired, may be fromone to the maximum number of replaceable hydrogen atoms. Examplary ofthe various substituents that may be present on the unsubstitutedquinone structures include halogen, e.g. chlorine, bromine, flourine,etc. hydrocarbon radicals inclusding branched and unbranched, saturatedand unsaturated alkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl and cycloalkyl radicals andhalogenated derivatives thereof; and similar hydrocarbons having heteroatoms therein, articularly oxygen, sulfur or phosphorous and wherein thesame connects the radical to the quinone ring (e.g. oxygen link).

Examplary of the various quinones there may be given 1,2- and1,4-benzoquinone; 2,6-diphenyl quinone; tetramethyldiquinone; 2,2'- and4,4'-diphenoquinone; 1,2-, 1,4- and 2,6-naphthoquinone; chloranils;2-chloro- 1,4-benzoquinone; 2,6-dimethyl benzoquinone and the like.

Organosilane compounds (e) suitable as compatibilizing agents arecharacterized as having in the molecule (a) at least one silicon atombonded to a carbon through an oxygen link and (b) at least onecarbon-carbon double bond or carbon-carbon triple bond and/or afunctional group selected from the group consisting of an amine group ora mercapto group provided that the functional group is not directlybonded to the silicon atom.

In such compounds, the C--O--Si component is generally present as analkoxyl or acetoxy group bonded directly to the silicon atom, whereinthe alkoxy or acetoxy group generally has less than 15 carbon atoms andmay also contain hetero atoms (e.g. oxygen). Additionally, there mayalso be more than one silicon atom in the compound, such multiplesilicon atoms, if present, being linked through an oxygen link (e.g.siloxanes), a silicon bond; or a bifunctional organic radical (e.g.methylene or phenylene groups).

Examples of suitable organosilane compounds include: gamma aminopropyltriethoxy silane, 2-(3-cyclohexanyl)ethyl trimethoxy silane;1,3-divinyl tetraethoxy silane; vinyl tris-(2-methoxyethoxy)silane;5-bicycloheptenyl triethoxy silane and gamma mercapto propyl trimethoxysilane.

Polyfunctional compounds (f) which may be employed as compatibilizer inthe practice of the present invention are of three types. The first typeof polyfunctional compounds are those having in the molecule both (a) acarbon-carbon double bond or a carbon-carbon triple bond and b) at leastone carboxylic acid, acid anhydride, acid halide, anhydride, acid halideanhydride, acid amide, acid ester, imide, amino, or hydroxy group.Examples of such polyfunctional compounds include maleic acid; maleicanhydride; fumaric acid; citraconic acid; itatonic acid; maleimide;maleic hydrazide; reaction products resulting from a diamine and maleicanhydride, maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.; dichloro maleic anhydride;maleic acid amide; unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (e.g. acrylic acid,butenoic acid, methacrylic acid, t-ethylacrylic acid, pentenoic acid);decenoic acids, undecenoic acids, dodecenoic acids, linoleic acid,etc.); esters, acid amides or anhydrides of the foregoing unsaturatedcarboxylic acids; unsaturated alcohols (e.g. alkyl alcohol, crotylalcohol, methyl vinyl carbinol, 4-pentene-1-ol, 1,4-hexadiene-3-ol,3-butene- 1,4-diol, 2,5-dimethyl-3-hexene-2,5-diol and alcohols of theformula C_(n) H_(2n-5) OH, C_(n) H_(2n-7) OH and C_(n) H_(2n-9) OH,wherein n is a positive integer up to 30), unsaturated amines resultingfrom replacing from replacing the --OH group(s) of the above unsaturatedalcohols with NH₂ groups; and functionalized diene polymers andcopolymers. Of these, one of the preferred compatibilizing agents forcompositions of the present invention is maleic anhydride.

The second group of polyfunctional compatibilizer compounds suitable foruse herein are charaterized as having both (a) a group represented bythe formula (OR) wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, acyl orcarbonyl dioxy group and (b) at least two groups each of which may bethe same or different selected from carboxylic acid, acid halide, acidanhydride, anhydride, acid halide anhydride, acid ester, acid amide,imido, amino and salts thereof. Typical of this group of compatibilizersare the aliphatic polycarboxylic acids, acid esters and acid amidesrepresented by the formula:

    (R.sup.I O).sub.m R(COOR.sup.II).sub.n (CONR.sup.III R.sup.IV).sub.s

wherein R is a linear or branched chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbonof from 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 10, carbon atoms; R^(I) is selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl,aryl, acyl or carbonyldioxy group of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, most preferably 1 to 4,carbon atoms, especially preferred is hydrogen; each R^(II) isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkylor aryl group from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 10 carbonatoms; each R^(III) and R^(IV) is independently selected from the groupconsisting essentially of hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group of from 1to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, most preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms; mis equal to 1 and (n+s) is greater than or equal to 2, preferably equalto 2 or 3, and n and s are each greater than or equal to zero andwherein (OR^(I)) is alpha or beta to a carbonyl group and at least twocarbonyl groups are seperated by 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Obviously, R^(I),R^(II), R^(III) and R^(IV) cannot be aryl when the respectivesubstituent has less than 6 carbon atoms.

Illustrative of suitable polycarboxylic acids there may be given citricacid, malic acid, and agaricic acid; including the various commercialforms thereof, such as for example, the anhydrous and hydrated acids. Ofthese, citric acid is another of the preferred compatibilizing agents.Illustrative of acid esters useful herein include for example, acetylcitrate and mono- and/or distearyl citrates and the like. Suitable acidamides useful herein include for example N,N'-diethyl citric acid amide;N-phenyl citric acid amide; N-dodecyl citric acid amide; N,N'-didodecylcitric acid amide and N-dodecyl malic acid present invention. Especiallypreferred derivates are the salts thereof, including the salts withamines and/preferably, the alkali and alkaline metal salts. Examplary ofsuitable salts include calcium malate, calcium citrate, potassium malateand potassium citrate.

The third group of polyfuntional compatibilizer compounds suitable foruse herein are characterized as having in the molecule both (a) an acidhalide group, most preferably an acid chloride group and (b) at leastone carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid anhydride, acid ester or acid amidegroup, preferably a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride group.Exemplary of compatibilizers within this group there may be giventrimellitic anhydride acid chloride, chloroformyl succinic anhydride,chloro formyl succinic acid, chloroformyl glutaric anhydride,chloroformyl glutaric acid, chloroacetyl succinic anhydride,chloroacetylsuccinic acid, trimellitic acid chloride and chloroacetylglutaric acid. Among these, trimellitic anhydride acid chloride ispreferred. Furthermore, it is especially preferred that compatibilizersof this group be prereacted with at least a portion of the polyphenyleneether whereby the compatibilizing agent is a PPE-functionalizedcompound.

Each of the foregoing compatibilizing agents are more fully described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,315,086 and 4,642,358; and European Patent ApplicationNo. 04640.

The foregoing compatibilizing agents may be used alone or in anycombination of one another. Furthermore, they may be added directly tothe melt blend or precompounded with either or both the polyphenyleneether and polyamide as well as with other resinous materials employed inthe preparation of the compositions of the present invention. With manyof the foregoing compatibilizing agents, particularly the polyfunctionalcompounds, even greater improvement in compatibility is found where atleast a portion of the compatibilizing agent is precompounded with allor part of the polyphenylene ether. It is believed that suchprecompounding may cause the compatibilizing agent to react with thepolymer and, consequently, functionalize that polymer as noted above forexample, the polyphenylene oxide may be precompounded with trimelliticanhydride acid chloride to form an anhydride functionalizedpolyphenylene ether which has improved compatibility with the polyamidecompared to a non-functionalized ether.

Where the compatibilizing agent is employed in the preparation of thecompositions of the present invention, the initial amount used will bedependent upon the specific compatibilizing agent chosen and thespecific polymeric system to which is added.

It is possible to use in the composition according to the invention anyother known compatibilisation system. Other systems have been describedfor example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,114.

It is possible to incorporate in the composition according to theinvention one or more impact modifiers. All impact modifiers asgenerally used for compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether, apolyamide or a combination of a polyphenylene ether and a polyamide canbe used. Particularly suitable are the socalled blockcopolymers, liketriblock copolymers and diblockcopolymers.

A variety of useful polyphenylene ether-polyamide compositions can beprovided which include varying amount of the impact modifier. Typically,improved properties, especially regarding the ductile behavior of theplastic, will be noted when 1 to 30 parts ny weight of an impactmodifier are utilized per 100 parts of the polyphenylene ether andpolyamide components taken together.

The diblock or triblock copolymer rubber additive which may be used incompositions of the present invention is a thermoplastic rubbercomprised of one or two alkenyl aromatic blocks which are typicallystyrene blocks and a rubber block e.g. a butadiene block which may bepartially hydrogenated.

The thermoplastic composition of the invention may comprise any of thefollowing additives: reinforcing fibers, stabilizers, dyes, pigments,polyolefines, flame retardants.

Glass reinforced grades of compatibilized polyphenylene etherpolyamideresin compositions are extremely important in thermoplastic applicationsrequiring a unique combination of physical properties such as impactstrength, rigidity and modulus, dimensional stability, high heatresistance as well as chemical resistance. Principally, glass filledPPE-polyamide compositions of the present invention offer good physicalproperties. Ten to thirty weight percent loadings of chopped glass fibercan typically be utilized to advantage in these compositions. Theseweight percents would be based upon the weight of the polyphenyleneether resin, the polyamide resin, and the glass, taken together. More orless glass (e.g. 5 to 45 weight percent) can also be utilized in certaincircumstances. Less than about 5 parts glass begins to perform like anunreinforced product. More than about 45 weight percent glass begins tointerfere with the ability of the resin to coat and bind the glasseffectively.

All patents and patent applications mentioned above are incorporatedherein by reference.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

In the examples the following materials have been used:

PPE-1: a poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with an intrinsicviscosity of 40 ml/g as measured in toluene at 25 degrees C. and aconcentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml PPO 803);

PPE-2: a poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with an intrinsicviscosity of 45 ml/g as measured in toluene at 25 degrees C. and aconcentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml PPO 800);

PPE-3: a poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with an intrinsicviscosity of 57 ml/g as measurred in toluene at 25 degrees C. and aconcentration of 0.6 gram per 100 ml PPO 805);

PA-1: a polyamide-6,6 with a reduced viscosity of 145 ml/g as measuredin sulphuric acid in accordance with ISO 307.(A3Q44)

PA-2: a polyamide-6,6 with a reduced viscosity of 205 ml/g as measuredin sulphuric acid in accordance with ISO 307.(A4)

PA-3: a polyamide-6,6 with a reduced viscosity of 270 ml/g as measuredin sulphuric acid in accordance with ISO 307.(A5)

CA: citric acid.

ST: standard iodine based stabilizers

PETS: penta-erythritol tetrastearate

CB: carbon black

The ingredients were compounded in the quantities as indicated in thefollowing table in a twin screw extruder with six different temperaturesettings over the length of the exruder, varying between 280 and 310degrees C. The screw speed was 300 rounds per minute, the throughput 10kilograms per hour. All ingredients with exception of the polyamid werefeeded at the throat of the extruder; the polyamid was feededdownstreams about halfway the extruder.

The die of the extruder had a diameter of 4 mm. Some of the blendscoming out of the extruder suffered from die-swell, meaning that thestrands had a varying diameter far above 4 mm. This is an entirelyundesirable effect, since this causes greaet unstability. This makes theblends unsuitable for molding formed products out of them by means ofextrusion and unsuitable for pellitizing them in a regular productionprocess.

The strands coming from the extruder were pelletized in a laboratoryequipment and dried for 3 hours at 110 degrees C.

The dried pellets were brought into the extruder of a Rheotens meltviscosity instrument of Goettfert-Feinwerk-Technik GmbH. The apparatuscomprises an extruder with an extrusion head with a die diameter of 4 mmand two wheels place at a distance of 120 mm below the extrusion head.The strand is conducted between the wheels which turn around withincreasing speed. The tensile speed and the tensile force are monitored.Upon occurrence of an unstability they are measured; the melt strenghtin Newton is calculated based on the measured values. The results arealso given in the table here below.

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                        Example    A*     B*     C*   I    II   III  IV                               ______________________________________                                        Composition                                                                   (Parts by weight)                                                             PPE-1:     58.9   58.9   --   --   --   --   --                               PPE-2:     --     --     --   --   --   --   58.9                             PPE-3:     --     --     58.9 58.9 58.9 53.9 --                               PA- 1:     40     --     40   --   --   --   --                               PA-2:      --     40     --   40   --   45   40                               PA-3:      --     --     --   --   40   --   --                               CA:        0.7    0.7    0.7  0.7  0.7  0.7  0.7                              ST:        0.1    0.1    0.1  0.1  0.1  0.3  0.1                              PETS:      0.3    0.3    0.3  0.3  0.3  0.3  0.3                              CB:        0.1    0.1    0.1  0.1  0.1  0.1  0.1                              Properties                                                                    Die Swell  no     yes    no   no   no   no   minor                            Melt Strength                                                                            n.d.   26     22   26   35   n.d. n.d                              ______________________________________                                         *n.d. means not determined. Examples A, B and C are comparative examples.

As can be seen from the results of the table the common blends ofpolyphenylene ether and a polyamide (Example A) can be readily extrudedfrom the compounding machine. Their melt strength is howeverunsufficient to shape articles out of this known blend by extrusion.

The blend of Example B with a standard polyphenylene ether and a highviscosity polymide does show a good melt strength, as could be expectedsince the polyamide forms the continuous phase. Quite unexpectly thecomparative blend showed strong die-swell making it unusable forextrusion purposes.

The above results are quite surprising since the polyamide with highviscosity as used in comparative example B itself i.e. without beingblended with a polyphenylene ether is perfectly suitable for extrusionpurposes.

Using a polyphenylene ether with higher viscosity in combination with astandard polyamide (blend C) results in a blend without die-swell, butwith a rather low melt strength.

Only by combining a high viscosity polyphenylene ether with a highviscosity polyamide (Examples I, II, III and IV) was it possible toobtain a material with a good melt strength, without die swell or withminor die-swell only.

We claim:
 1. An extrudable thermoplastic composition comprising acompatibilized polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin blend, wherein thepolyphenylene ether has an intrinsic viscosity of more than 45 ml/g asmeasurred in toluene at 25 degrees C. and a concentration of 0.6 gramper 100 ml and wherein the polyamide has a reduced viscosity of morethan 175 ml/g as measured in sulphuric acid in accordance with ISO 307wherein said polyamide is a polyamide 6,6.
 2. A composition as in claim1 wherein the polyphenylene ether has an intrinsic viscosity of at least50 ml/g and the polyamide has a reduced viscosity of at least 190 ml/g.3. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the compatibilized polyphenyleneether-polyamide resin blend comprised 5 to 95 weight percentpolyphenylene ether resin and 95 to 5 weight percent polyamide resin,based upon the weight of polyphenylene ether and polyamide together. 4.A composition as in claim 3 wherein said polyamide resin constitutes acontinuous phase in an amount greater than 35 weight percent of thecompatibilized polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin blend.
 5. Acomposition as in claim 1 wherein the compatibilized polyphenyleneether-polyamide resin blend is compatibilized with a compatibilizingagent selected from the group consisting of maleic anhydride, fumaricacid, citric acid, malic acid, and reaction products of a polyphenyleneether and trimellitic anhydride acid chloride.
 6. A composition as inclaim 1 wherein said polyphenylene ether resin is a polymer or copolymercomprised of one or more units derived from units selected from thegroup consisting of 2,6-dimethyl phenol units and 2,3,6-trimethyl phenolunits.
 7. A composition as in claim 6 wherein said polyphenylene etheris poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether).
 8. A composition as in claim1 further comprising an agent to improve the impact strength.
 9. Acomposition as in claim 1 further comprising an additive selected fromthe group consisting of reinforcing fibers, stabilizers, dyes, pigments,polyolefins, flame retardants, and mixture thereof.
 10. Articles formedout of the composition of claim
 1. 11. The composition of claim 5wherein the compatibilizing agent is citric acid.
 12. The composition ofclaim 9 wherein the agent to improve the impact strength is a blockcopolymer.